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[SR-71Blackbird]

Hi Guys,

I have a few questions related to lead acid batteries that you top up with distilled water. I have never used these before but just bought a very powerful replacement for my battery (same size dimensions though, don't worry)

I have a few questions about it having never used it before.

1. There are two plastic plugs that cover a little hole at each end of the battery (positive and negative side) and the instruction label says "remove plugs" This is for the gases to escape I believe? Can you confirm? Should this be always removed whilst driving or should they be in place?
2. There are 6 cells (as with 12v batteries) and each cell has its own cap that I can remove to add distilled water only. I must keep the plates covered with distilled water at all times and there is a helpful plastic indicator inside (in this case) as well so as long as that is covered then it is correct? Can you confirm?
3. How often or how many miles would you estimate I would need to check and possibly add water to the cells? I know this is hard to say but is is a once a week,month or year task for example?
4. Regarding charging for installation, the battery is supposedly charged already but needs to be topped up prior to fitting. To do this do I simply connect jump leads from the existing battery in the car to the new battery on the floor, let the car idle for 20 minutes say and then install the new battery? Or is there something else I need to do?

Any other tips regarding these types of batteries would be very helpful.

Thank you

[Kevin Wood]

1. You only need to remove the plugs to check and/or top up the level of the electrolyte. There will be venting to allow the gases produced during charging to escape.

2. Yes, each cell should have enough electrolyte to cover the plates. ONLY distilled water should be used to top up.

3. Once a year, if ever. There isn't really much difference between a "maintenance free" battery and this type, apart from the lack of removable covers. Charging systems in cars have got better since topping-up was a routine maintenance activity and for this reason batteries don't "gas" as much and rarely need topping up unless they are working in a particularly hot engine bay.

4. You could do the jump lead trick but it's really no different to chucking it in the car. If you have a trickle charger that you could charge it with, say overnight, at a low charge rate that would be preferable but one fast charge from the alternator shouldn't hurt it.

[SR-71Blackbird]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for your lightning fast response.
I totally agree and understand with your answers to 2,3 and 4. However I was wondering if I could have some clarification on number 1.

I am looking at the battery at the moment and each of the two "vent " holes have a little plastic plug going into them at the moment. Do I keep these in place when I fit the battery into the car and drive it around or do I remove them and never put them back? Or is it more complicated then that?

On the positive side I also have a tiny L shaped plastic tube that fits into the "vent " hole, I assume this to vent the explosive gases away from any areas where it could combust? Can you explain this part too?

Thanks as always

[Kevin Wood]

Ahh, OK. I was mistaken. I thought you meant the caps over each cell. I'm, guessing the two caps are the means by which the battery vents and are to prevent it spilling when in transit.

I'm guessing that the tube is to duct any leaking fluid away from car bodywork (where the battery is installed in the car boot, under a seat, etc).

There only being one tube implies that you can connect it to either of the vent holes and leave the other one plugged, although to be on the safe side you can probably remove both plugs since the tube is not really required in an Omega anyway.

[SR-71Blackbird]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for your response. Yes I could leave them both unplugged, I was wondering if the liquid might spill as when I brake/corner the liquid will slosh around and may escape. I wonder if there is a route that the gases can escape from all cells from one plug or if three cells dump into one vent and the other three dump into the other vent?

[Kevin Wood]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for your response. Yes I could leave them both unplugged, I was wondering if the liquid might spill as when I brake/corner the liquid will slosh around and may escape. I wonder if there is a route that the gases can escape from all cells from one plug or if three cells dump into one vent and the other three dump into the other vent?

Yep, that was what I was wondering. I suspect the internal baffling means that the only circumstances in which it'd spill is if the battery is overcharged so I'll think you'll be fine from that point of view if you just unplug both.

[robson]

I purchased a new battery for the caravan recently and that had the same vent holes. Why dont you telephone or email the manufacturer and ask what they are for I will do the same.

[SR-71Blackbird]

Hi guys,

As we thought the plastic plugs are only for when the battery is in transit and when it is installed they are supposed to me removed to let the gases escape. I fitted it yesterday and it seems great, the internal cabin light is much brighter, hurt my eyes a little to look at it lol. Check it every 6 months he said or even once a year as Kevin suggested they are so much better then they used to be that really they don't need hardly anything at all.

Thanks as always for your help guys.

Just so you know what I bought in case you need some heavy duty power too here is the website
http://www.tayna.co.uk/019-Enduroline-Car-Battery-950CCA-P8385.html